In the shining academy, hundreds of people conversed about trivialities, their voices blending into a constant murmur. Among them stood a striking woman with black hair, her presence impossible to ignore. Morgan, the princess of the Valor clan, was accompanied by two shorter figures: Master Sunless and Master Cassie. Both were about to engage in a crucial conversation—at least, it was crucial for them—regarding a recent incident involving Mordred, the bastard prince of the Valor clan.
However, before they could even sit down, a deafening rumble shook the academy. An earthquake cracked the floor beneath their feet, causing furniture to collapse and murals to splinter. A strange sensation washed over everyone present—a mix of unease and latent danger.
At the center of the chaos appeared a figure. Their clothes were torn and worn, but what truly captured everyone's attention was the white light surrounding them, a supernatural force that seemed to defy the laws of nature. Those who weren't blinded by its brilliance saw her: a woman with a cold, calculated gaze, like that of a predator ready to do whatever it took to survive.
Sunny recognized the figure immediately.
"Nephis?" he whispered, unable to hide his disbelief.
Before catastrophe could strike, he used Shadow Step to teleport to her side, his shadows creeping toward the radiant light that enveloped her. She looked at him with the same predatory intensity, as though she were assessing him.
Then, something shifted. Nephis extended a hand, placing her fingers on his shoulder. The fire emanating from her burned his armor, but Sunny didn't move. He only stared at her, confused.
"Sunny?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Before she could say anything more, Nephis wavered, her strength failing her.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Sunny shouted, catching her before she could collapse. His voice carried a mix of authority and concern. "The Changing Star has returned! Bring clothes and a stretcher, now!"
Everything happened quickly. Nephis was taken to a room to be treated, and his meeting with Morgan was postponed.
Now, Sunny stood in front of the woman who had dominated his thoughts for so long. He had imagined this moment countless times, planning every word and every action. But now that she was here, asleep and vulnerable, all his plans crumbled.
His mind, usually so sharp and logical, went blank. Just seeing her made his heart pound uncontrollably.
For over two years, he had tried to suppress his feelings, convincing himself that he didn't want to see her again. But now that she was here, everything became clear: he had always wanted her.
The bonds, the complications that tied them together—they didn't matter anymore. For two years, he had fought against his emotions, but that struggle had brought him a kind of pain he had never known. And he wasn't willing to feel it again.
"To hell with that stupid bond," he muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on her. "I don't care."
Nephis was here, caught in his world, and he was caught in hers. For the first time in a long time, Sunny knew what he had to do. He wouldn't let her disappear again.
"Welcome back,," he whispered, his words filled with a mix of reproach, affection, and determination.
Nephis found herself trapped in a strange dream. At first, she braced for a terrible nightmare, and that was exactly what she got. Shadows enveloped her, her mind replaying moments of agony, and terror began to take over. But just as the nightmare was about to become unbearable, everything vanished.
A soft sound broke the silence: the faint trot of a horse. Suddenly, the shadows dissipated, and the nightmare ended.
Now she stood beneath a beautiful tree, surrounded by a crystal-clear lake. The tranquility of the scene was such a stark contrast to what she had felt moments before that it left her disoriented. She wondered what had happened, until something came to mind.
She remembered the runes of a shadow... or was it an echo? She wasn't entirely sure what it was, only that it fed on nightmares and dark emotions.
"Why don't I have a cool echo like that?" she muttered, thinking of the echoes she knew.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
"So even while I sleep, Sunny looks out for me, huh?"
The smile vanished as a memory surfaced.
"Wait... damn it, Sunny... The first thing I do after two years is burn his shoulder, right?" She sighed, covering her face with her hand. "Unbelievable..."
An unexpected thought crept into her mind, and her face flushed slightly.
"And now that idiot's even more handsome..."
Sunny had always had a peculiar charm, but now he seemed like he belonged in a painting: a porcelain doll with flawless skin and the striking contrast of those deep, enigmatic eyes. There was nothing left of the boy she remembered.
"Of course... he became an Ascended. That explains it," she whispered, though her heart was beating faster.
Why was she so nervous? She knew the answer, even if she didn't want to admit it. Though she was naturally antisocial, she had once read about something similar.
"Why him, of all people?" she asked the void. But the answer was clear, even if she didn't want to accept it. "How could I not fall for him after everything we went through?"
She thought back to that cursed coast, where Sunny had stayed by her side without hesitation, even though they had barely known each other. He was a genius with the sword and a natural strategist, especially when it came to assassination. In that area, he even surpassed Nephis.
If given enough time and information, she was certain Sunny could kill a titan by himself. Perhaps he already had.
"That should scare most girls off, shouldn't it?" Nephis muttered, more to herself than as a real question.
But Sunny wasn't an ordinary killer. There was something about him, a kindness he reserved only for those he cared about. And she... she wasn't an ordinary girl.
She had seen that kindness in him, even in the short time they had known each other. Still, she also remembered the murderous look he had given her when she had uttered those words: "Lost from light."
Those words, and the decision she had made that day, had haunted her for years. She deeply regretted them. Perhaps, deep down, she wished she had made a different choice—wished she had allowed him to stay by her side. But she knew it had been the best decision for both of them.
"Then why is he helping me now?" she asked, her voice trembling. The possibility of Sunny killing her the moment he saw her hadn't seemed far-fetched. Yet here she was, alive and healthier than she could have imagined.
Her heart was a mess, her mind even worse. She knew her second nightmare would leave scars, both physical and emotional. Just thinking about it gave her chills.
But she couldn't avoid it any longer. She couldn't stay asleep to avoid facing him. With a resigned sigh, Nephis prepared to wake from her dream.